Max Dowman gave Arsenal supporters another glimpse of his extraordinary potential, scoring twice in a 4-2 Carabao Cup victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
The 16-year-old had been waiting patiently for his opportunity this season after spending most of Arsenal’s opening matches on the bench. When his chance finally arrived, Dowman made sure it was impossible to ignore.
His two goals were both impressive in different ways. The first showcased his confidence and ability to carry the ball, as he drove forward, left defenders struggling to keep up and calmly finished the move.
His second was all about composure, with the teenager taking his chance and placing the ball neatly into the bottom corner.
For Mikel Arteta, however, Dowman’s performance was another reason to remain careful with the youngster’s development.
“He is 16 years old and we have to be really cautious,” the Arsenal boss said.
“We don’t want to stop him, we don’t want to put the brakes on him. We need to develop him and we are fully aware what he needs. He will have opportunities.”
Arteta was clearly impressed by what he saw.
“Unbelievable. He’s unpredictable, he can go either way, so fluid, so nice to watch,” he added.
Dowman’s performance also placed him in a remarkable piece of Premier League history. He became only the second 16-year-old to score twice in a game for a Premier League club in any competition, matching a feat previously achieved by Wayne Rooney for Everton against Wrexham in the League Cup in 2002.
“With the demands that we put in them, to be able to do that is extremely difficult and he’s coping better and better and better,” Arteta said.
The Arsenal manager also highlighted Dowman’s character and his willingness to perform on the biggest stage.
“He’s an unbelievable player because of the character that he has and how much he loves to play at the biggest stage.”
A teenage talent who has already broken records
Dowman’s rapid rise is nothing new.
He enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough campaign last season, making 13 appearances in all competitions and becoming the youngest player to feature in the Champions League.
He also became Arsenal’s youngest-ever starter, as well as the Premier League’s youngest starter, goalscorer and title winner.
His only goal last season came against Everton during the closing stages of Arsenal’s title-winning campaign. It was an unforgettable moment, with Dowman carrying the ball almost halfway down the pitch before finding an empty net after Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had ventured forward.
The goal was subsequently voted Arsenal’s goal of the season.
What makes his rise even more remarkable is that Dowman was balancing football with his education at the time. He completed his GCSEs at Brentwood School during the summer before leaving school to concentrate fully on his football career.
Former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp believes the teenager has the ability to become a special player, but insists patience will be important.
“He is a wonderful player who will be able to do everything in the game,” Redknapp said.
“But just give him time and how they are handling him is perfect. What you don’t want to do is not give him the amount of game time he needs. He is an elite player.”
Can Dowman force his way into Arsenal’s plans?
The biggest question now is whether Dowman’s Carabao Cup display will lead to more opportunities in the first team.
Arsenal have started the season in impressive fashion, winning all seven of their matches across four competitions. Dowman had been an unused substitute in four of those games and was left out of the squad for two others before being handed the full 90 minutes against Ipswich.
The competition for attacking places is fierce. Bukayo Saka, Christos Tzolis, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz have started every Premier League match so far, leaving Dowman with a difficult path into the starting XI.
Still, his performances last season showed that Arteta is willing to trust him when the circumstances are right.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino believes Dowman has everything required to become a future star.
“He’s an unbelievable talent,” Merino told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“He will be a star in the future if he keeps his eyes and ears open and keeps learning.
“He’s just 16 so he needs a lot of coaching, especially tactically. But I can’t take anything away from him. He’s always keen to learn. We’ll keep helping him.”
There has already been plenty of discussion about just how far Dowman can go. Some have even suggested that he could enter England’s plans ahead of Euro 2028, while earlier in the year there was debate over whether he could be considered for the World Cup.
Former England defender Conor Coady believes Arsenal are right to manage expectations carefully.
“He is a real superstar,” Coady said.
“A 16-year-old boy should not be doing this. He has got no better manager than Arteta to look after him. You want him to be looked after properly. If he plays every game at this age, he won’t be scoring goals like this.”
That may be the biggest challenge facing Arsenal: finding the balance between giving Dowman enough first-team football to continue his development while protecting him from the enormous expectations that naturally come with becoming a teenage sensation.
Another remarkable Arsenal record
Dowman’s latest achievement comes at a fascinating time for young English talent.
Highly rated 15-year-old striker JJ Gabriel is reportedly close to leaving Manchester United and had been expected to make his debut against Brighton in the Carabao Cup.
Had that happened, he would have had an opportunity to challenge an unusual League Cup record.
The three youngest players to score in the competition for Premier League clubs all currently have Arsenal connections: Cesc Fabregas, who scored aged 16 years and 212 days against Wolves in 2003; Dowman, who scored against Ipswich aged 16 years and 258 days; and Jack Wilshere, who scored aged 16 years and 266 days against Sheffield United in 2008.
For now, though, Dowman’s immediate challenge is much simpler.
Keep learning, keep developing and take his opportunities when they arrive.
His two goals at Portman Road have certainly made it harder for Arsenal to overlook him.
